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New Manicuring Techniques - No More Soaking!

Erica's E-File 101 CertificateWe aim to always keep up with the trends, continue to educate ourselves and learn new techniques.  The current trends in the natural nail world are dry manicures, structured manicures, or some combination of both. 

All three of our manicurists took a very educational hands-on course last week that taught us how to use an E-file (electric file) to perform SAFE and perfect dry manicures on natural nails.  We received our E-file Certifications from Erica's ATA in Sunbury, OH.  (Highly recommend her courses and products!!) In the coming weeks you will probably notice us implementing new techniques in our services.  We will talk you through some of the changes and educate you on what we are doing and why.  Always feel free to ask us questions during your service.

DRY MANICURES

A dry manicure is exactly what it sounds like... there is no water or soaking involved.  I have actually always promoted "dry" gel polish manicures because leaving the nails dry allows the polish to adhere to the nails better, providing longer-lasting results.  Soaking in water also causes your skin/cuticle area to become more plump and the skin may begin to peel.  And because your nails are porous, they absorb water and the shape can become distorted.

STRUCTURED MANICURES

A structured manicure is a gel manicure where a thicker base overlay is applied to the natural nail typically using a multi-flex gel or a rubber base.  It provides strength and protection to the nail while still allowing flexibility which prevents your nails from snapping.  This type of manicure lasts longer, typically 3-4 weeks and can be filed down and filled.  Tia and Javlin are now offering full structured multi-flex manicures using the Luminary System.  With this system, they will apply an overlay on the nail while building "structure" that gives an apex and shape to the nail.  Gel polish can then optionally be applied over top.

COMBINATION

Note that each of our techs may implement slightly different techniques, services, and pricing.  Going forward I (Andrea) will be doing a double base coat with all of my gel polish services, including toes. I always cater my services to each individual client so we will work together to determine which base product will work best for your nail type (hard, multi-flex, or rubber base).  My gel polish services will implement a combination of techniques.

USING THE E-FILE

Gel polish soak-off removal is a thing of the past!  With the old soak-off method we were scraping and buffing the entire nail plate surface with every removal.  Going forward we will utilize an E-file to remove the gel color or product from your nails, while leaving a thin layer of base product on your nail to provide protection and strength for your nail plate.  Using this method, only the new nail growth and any areas of the nail that had product lifting will need to be prepped.  It prevents over-filing and over-prepping of the nail plate and is much faster!  It also prevents soaking your nails and fingertips in acetone which is very drying.

We will also use the E-file for much of the cuticle care, and will be doing less manual filing and buffing.  The high-quality diamond bits from Erica's ATA will allow us to exfoliate the skin so that it's soft and has a superior clean appearance.

SAFETY

In the past I have always told my clients "Don't EVER let anyone use a drill on your natural nails!"  I have to eat my words a little and revise my statement.  I will now say, "Don't let anyone use an E-file on your nails that is not properly trained in techniques that are safe for natural nails."

We learned SO much in this course that we now feel confident that we can safely use our E-files on natural nails.  We learned about what each of the bits do, what RPM (speed) to use them at, the type of pressure to use, and so many techniques.  There are still many techs and salons out there using the e-file like a "drill" and causing damage to natural nails, so just be careful.

We welcome your feedback!

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